Man Pulls Emergency Handle, Jumps Onto NJ TRANSIT Tracks After Dropping Cell Phone
SECAUCUS, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- According to NJ TRANSIT, Eric Jones of Harlem allegedly pulled the emergency door release on a North Jersey Coast line train near Secaucus Junction around 8:20 a.m., which resulted in a train crew member stopping the train.
Jones then opened the doors and jumped onto the tracks because he dropped his cell phone in between two train cars, according to NJ TRANSIT.
Nageen Qasim was on the train heading into New York which delayed countless commuters heading in for work.
"It's a Monday morning commute, everyone's like in a hurry to get to work," she said.
In a statement given to CBS2, the transit agency condemned Jones's reckless behavior "in the strongest possible terms."
"Not only does this cause a delay to fellow customers, but this kind of action risks the safety of hundreds of customers, members of the crew as well as Mr. Jones himself. No personal item is worth risking a life over."
NJ Transit rider Romero Jennings told CBS2's Tony Aiello he wouldn't hesitate to leave his phone if it fell on the tracks.
"Anywhere there's a train and tracks, it's dangerous," he said.
In August, NJ Transit police officer Victor Ortiz rescued a man who was lying on the train tracks in Secaucus. According to authorities, NJ TRANSIT police officer Victor Ortiz climbed down from the platform at the terminal in Secaucus after reports of a man lying in the tracks.
Jones is currently in NJ TRANSIT Police custody. He has been charged with interfering with transportation and defiant trespassing.